Pearson tells nation he seeks to clarify confidence in 1968

Nationally broadcast addresses from Canadian prime ministers are a rare occurrence. They usually happen only during times of war, constitutional or political crisis. The CBC Digital Archives presents some of the most significant historic addresses by Canada's prime ministers from 1939 to 2008.

The crisis: an unexpected government defeat, 84 votes to 82, on an amendment to
the Income Tax Act in February 1968. Though it had already passed through the
committee level and two readings in the House of Commons, the bill is defeated,
throwing Parliament into uncertainty. Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson rushes
home from a visit to Jamaica and adjourns the House for 24 hours to consider his
options.

In a statement to Canadians that evening, Pearson says he plans to put a motion before Parliament that "will be clearly and without doubt one of
confidence or non-confidence in the government." If the motion carries,
government business will continue. If it is defeated, the government will resign
and there will be a federal election - although, Pearson adds, "I can think of
many things the country needs more at the present time than a general election."

• The House was closed for several days as the crisis continued, so much of the
debate among parties took place via television instead. Pearson agreed to an
interview on CBC Television two days after the defeat. He told Canadians the
authority of the Constitution was on his side, and that the opposition had used
trickery to defeat the government.

• The confidence vote Pearson
promised took place the following week. As expected the Liberals triumphed,
winning 138 votes to 119 (with three abstentions).

• According to the Globe and Mail, cameras "swarmed all over the Parliament
buildings, penetrating many areas where formerly they have been forbidden." The
article went on to predict that it would not be long before cameras were
permitted in the chamber. It took another nine years before proceedings in
Parliament were regularly broadcast.